THE PRODUCTION OF EGGS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 94, 9 April 1908, Page 4

THE PRODUCTION OF EGGS.

WIIIUI IS TIIK VKOFITAISUC BKEIvD* The egg-laying i-oinpetitioiis are now 1 losing. Some have closed. And puui-try-fanciers are discussing the results--11l almo~t every case the while Leghorns have taken the leading places, but poultry-keeping i< not so much a busi ness for the production ol eggs as 01 money, and it is asked, Have iliu cJm petitions settled which is the most prolitable breed?

A local breeder of the heavier up.* ilias Something lu say aiicnt the results of the recent competition-.. \\ 1111.-1 agreeing that the laying strain of the white Leghorns has been wonderfully developed, he inclines to the opinion that they will not tind favor with our sellers to the extent that nr.ny believe. lie stated to a "News" reporter yesterday that lie would pit bull' or black Orpington? against any Leghorns In a winter laying competition, and would guarantee in Tarauaki to make more money out of the bull' Orpingtons than I from a similar number of Ihe initchlancied white Leghorns. The latter birds lay most of their eggs in the summer months, when eggs are plentiful and cheap. The Orpingtons, however, are winter layers, and are just starting to produce their eggs, which will be sold at double the price received for the bulk of the Leghorn output. It must be borne in mind that the laying competitions referred to were not held 111 Taranaki, whose varying climate Iculs to the keening of birds of the shortercombed varieties. A suburban resilient, who keeps Leghorns and bull' Orpingtons, states that the latter are the best paying proposition a-s egg-producers, besides which his cockerels and faulty pullets can be sold at tup prices fur'table purposes. Leghorns, of course, are a failure as table birds.

Uur informant gives il as his opinion that by breeding from the best layers in Hie pens the Orpingtons can lie brought to a uiuek higher laying standard, flic fact remains unchallenged, lie -ays. that ihe heavier breeds, being well feathered, are the best birds for winter laying. It would lie interesting to se<T the balance-sheets of two poultry-farmers', one depending on white l-egl'iorns and the other on black Orpingtons.

FOR POULTRY-KEEPERS. The following points | m - poultry, raisers arc taken from Mr. D. D. Hyde's bulletin, " Poultry and Eggs for .Market and Export," issued by the Agricultural Department:— Don't fail to gather eggs twice a day. Don't take eggs to market unless thee are clean and inviting. Don't forget that eggs are porous, and contaminating surroundings wi'j spoil them.

Don't forget .that if a brooding hen i» allowed to sit on a fertilised egg for twelve hours the flavour U spoiled. Don't forget that the sooner eggs are marketed the better.

Don't forget that the llavour of the egg is atl'eetcd by the quality of tinfood given to hens. Don't keep a male bird with hens that are not required to breed from. Don't allow hens to eat decayed vegetable or animal substances.

Don't keep the water in-tlie sun; it should be kept sweet and clean.

Don't forget thats sharp grit is teeth to poultry.

Don't feed poultry at irregular intervals.

Don't have iilthy nest-boxes; keep them limewashed, and have clean hay, straw, shavings, or pine-needles in them.